Strengthening landscape protection and water security in a climate-sensitive manner

Context

Zambia has large surface and groundwater resources. Particularly in the south of the country, however, water catchment areas and thus the population's water security are coming under increasing stress. The main reasons for this are overexploitation, environmental degradation and the consequences of climate change.

Many tributaries that once carried water all year round are drying up and jeopardising the resources on which human and animal lives depend. This leads to distribution conflicts between different water users and to food insecurity for millions of people, with a severe impact on women in particular.

Objective

The integrated management of water catchment areas – including landscape protection, with a focus on agriculture, forests, biodiversity, water and climate resilience – has improved in Zambia.

Approach

The project supports the Zambian Government in improving water security and landscape protection at this time of climate change, population growth and environmental degradation.

The project focuses on implementing restoration and protection measures in the lower catchment area of the Kafue River and expanding the competencies of national and decentralised stakeholders for scaling up. Natural resources, especially water, are to be better utilised and protected by means of a landscape approach. This approach takes into account forestry, agriculture and biodiversity, as well as the interests of the stakeholders involved.

Strategic financing approaches and partnerships with the government, communities, civil society organisations and the private sector scale up successful measures and mobilise additional funding and experts.

The main partners in the project are the Zambian Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation (MWDS) and the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment (MGEE). The European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) are funding the project.

Last update: January 2024